Picnic and Picture Party

Good Monday morning!

NOTE TO BANDOFBROTHERS - I never noticed what was hanging in the background of Austin's hat picture. I only had eyes for my boy. However, since this blog is rated G (For Everyone), I've removed the pic. Just kidding. It was time for it to go anyway! (For anyone wondering, it was a variety of bathing suits... bikinis to be exact.) I need to talk to you this week about the trip and other important "stuff." I'll call you before graduation.

NOTE TO MELANEY - I couldn't mention Taylor without a "shout out" to Miss Tori. I'm proud of both your girls. And Tori, you looked absolutely beautiful in that dress Friday morning receiving your awards. Congratulations!

I hope everyone is having a great long weekend. We left Friday after school and headed to Nashville (only a three-hour trip). We went straight to the Gaylord Hotel. Mike and I stayed there about 19 years ago at one of his conferences, so we wanted the kids to at least get to see it (even if we didn't stay there). We ate at Paesano's Pizza overlooking the Delta inside the hotel.

According to the website, there were supposed to be water shows at 6:00 and 8:00. (You know... colored water fountains going up and down to the music. The Faulkner Five are easily amused.) We sat down to eat at 7:30 in the best seats EVER, and waited and waited and waited. "Why isn't there a big crowd? Why did we get the best seats EVER for the 8:00 water show? Am I the only person in the whole Gaylord Hotel who researches such things?"

Uh-oh. At 8:15, I sent Mikie to check with "someone in the know." They changed the schedule THAT VERY DAY (FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009), and the water shows are no more (for now). That was fine. First rule... FLEXIBILITY! We ate our pizza, calzones, lasagna, etc. and just walked around and enjoyed the grandeur of the Gaylord. It is so beautiful.

The Golden Cowboy (pictured above) made Josh jump three feet in the air. He was the only one who fell for it. I guess when you're 47 years-old, you kind of assume statues are real people unless proven otherwise... instead of the other way around.

The line dancing lessons were fun and free and spontaneous. Roxie did very well, and we found yet another career choice to be researched. "I would love doing this every day!" she exclaimed. Somehow, I can't imagine Roxie line dancing in the lobby of the Gaylord Hotel day after day, month after month, year after year. Not that there's anything wrong with that career choice. It's just not Roxie, if you know what I mean!

You'll notice the Showcase Pic is from Friday night (as well as the rest of the pictures in the Gallery). I will be posting pictures from the Renaissance Festival on Tuesday (our Saturday outing), Miss Marples Comedy/Mystery Dinner Theater on Wednesday (our Saturday night outing), The Faulkners Explore Downtown Nashville (our Sunday morning/early afternoon outing) and lunch at the world famous Wildhorse Saloon (our Sunday afternoon outing). (Don't worry... the Wildhorse Saloon is family-friendly on Sundays for lunch. And delicious!)

Friday's pictures will, of course, be of Austin's graduation which is Thursday night. This week will probably be more of a "picture blog," instead of the usual ramblings. However, I will include the norm... Party, Recipe, Seasonal Tradition, Date and Book for the week.

That being said, let's get to the party, shall we?

Picnic and Picture Party

Okay. The girls are a little bit older. We've solved mysteries, uncovered buried treasure and ridden around our fair city (WAY too fast) solving clues and trying to beat the other van to the finish line. Now what? We're so mature. We're not little girls anymore.

The party plan is beyond simple. Depending on how many chicks can attend, we have two OR three cars available. We're meeting around 10:30 one day this week, going through the drive-thru at Guthrie's (chicken) and ordering everyone an individual chicken box. (I will have a cooler full of drink selections in the back of the big gold van so we don't have to worry about spilling eight drinks in each van... or worse yet, drinking them all before we arrive at our destination!)

We're driving to Aldridge Gardens in Hoover for a picnic in one of their lovely picnic areas. After we eat, we're taking dozens and dozens of pre-teen pictures in and around the gardens. There's a mile long walking path around the lake, so we'll take our time and walk around that. (No dressing up. Just casual, fun clothes they are comfortable wearing.)

After we've taken pictures galore, we're loading up and heading to the Galleria for a couple of hours of walking around the mall... their favorite thing to do at this time in their lives. Before we come home, we will enjoy cookies from the Great American Cookie Company or some other snack.

"Is this really a party?" you may ask. Yes. Yes, it is. There will be laughter, talking, more laughter, memories made (and recorded), and time spent with some of their favorite people in the world (and I'm not necessarily talking about their moms).

VARIATIONS FOR PRE-TEEN BOYS: There is NO variation of this party for pre-teen boys. They would love the chicken, but pictures around the lake and then two hours at the Galleria looking at earrings and T-shirts would be sheer torture. So, in honor of all the pre-teen boys out there, next week I'll be giving not one, but TWO, end-of-the-year parties/outings for the guys. And yes... they will involve chicken!

Have a wonderful Monday. Make today count. Spend time with your family. Get in touch with someone you haven't talked to in a while. And last, but never least, remember what Memorial Day is all about.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow!